{"id":1106,"date":"2022-01-21T21:00:20","date_gmt":"2022-01-21T21:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/2022\/01\/21\/prop-65-warning-labels-not-something-to-ignore\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T19:49:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T19:49:47","slug":"prop-65-warning-labels-not-something-to-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/2022\/01\/21\/prop-65-warning-labels-not-something-to-ignore\/","title":{"rendered":"Prop 65 Warning \u26a0\ufe0f Labels: Not Something to Ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated April 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Example of a Prop 65 label on a food product.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This guide clarifies misunderstanding about prop 65. It is not a label to just disregard because it seems like it is everywhere. The warning is there to alert consumers if a product contains toxins that have been proven to be able to cause cancer, reproductive harm, birth defects, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post may contain Amazon Associates affiliate links, that I may earn small amounts from. See the bottom of this page for more details.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


It is NOT required on \u201ceverything\u201d! The warning label is only required if a product is above the threshold for toxins deemed safe by the state of CA and sold in CA. But since many companies don\u2019t want to print a separate label just for California, they place it on their products sold everywhere else too. Here is a product that I\u2019ve never seen a prop 65 for: my affiliate link for walnuts that I buy:https:\/\/amzn.to\/3KFFXmc<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SOMETIMES it is there \u201cjust in case,\u201d but we shouldn\u2019t assume that. Companies may put it there to avoid getting caught without one if they really do need it, but cancer warnings aren\u2019t something they want to just slap on for fun, because they definitely dissuade some customers from purchasing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re ever unsure why the label is there you can try googling it or contact the company. Sometimes it really isn\u2019t obvious; for example I saw it on a container of raw pistachios. The only ingredient listed was pistachios, BUT remember that things like pesticides and fungicides are invisible and are never listed on ingredients labels or packaging. Same for acrylimides, which are formed when things such as starches are baked at high heat. A quick google search brought this up https:\/\/oehha.ca.gov\/media\/downloads\/proposition-65\/chemicals\/chlorothalonilig111519.pdf<\/a>. It\u2019s about how a fungicide applied to pistachios can meet the criteria for prop 65.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that just because something is \u201ceverywhere,\u201d or people say flippant things like \u201ceverything causes cancer\u201d (not true), doesn’t make it ok. If you see the prop 65 warning you should definitely look into why it\u2019s there. Also beware when a company says they are \u201cprop 65 compliant.\u201d That could just mean that they are above the limit and place the warning label on their products sold in California (but possibly not in other states).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only instance where I ignore the prop 65 warning labels: The ones that specify it is because of Wood dust. Wood dust can be carcinogenic, but that only applies to extensive exposures, such as occupations that work constantly around wood dust without proper protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be wary of the language that companies try to use when explaining heavy metals in their products, such as the \u201cnaturally occurring\u201d phrase to get out of labeling requirements (a loophole of prop 65 is it isn\u2019t needed for \u201cnaturally occurring\u201d heavy metals). Keep in mind, lead in soil still isn\u2019t naturally occurring (it\u2019s from past use of leaded gas) and is still harmful! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Companies also sometimes state they are \u201cProp 65 compliant\u201d leading consumers to think that means they are under the prop 65 limit. In fact, prop 65 doesn\u2019t represent a mandatory limit that companies need to stay under; rather, it means if they are above a certain level, they must disclose a warning on the label. So by having a tiny warning label, that means they are \u201ccompliant\u201d with prop 65 labeling requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The absence of a prop 65 label does NOT automatically mean the product has low levels of heavy metals. There are other exemptions for the label, such as mail-order companies such as Thrive Market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prop 65 website with FAQ https:\/\/www.p65warnings.ca.gov\/new-proposition-65-warnings<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cancer.org site that does a good job explaining the prop 65 labels and how they vary https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cancer-causes\/general-info\/cancer-warning-labels-based-on-californias-proposition-65.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also talk about Prop 65 in many of my other blog posts, such as supplements. And in this post<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To check out new and additional posts, visit and \u201clike\u201d my Facebook page<\/a>. Thanks!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

***Thank you for visiting Clean Green Toxicant Free! I started this site simply because I want to help people and share information. I dig deep and seek the most truly non-toxic products, without bias. I am not paid to write anything and I don\u2019t sell anything. In 2022 I became an Amazon Associate, which does NOT bias my recommendations. I may earn small dividends from purchases made after clicking my clearly labeled amazon affiliate links (even if you don\u2019t buy those specific items), which covers the costs I pay to maintain this site, at no cost to you. More info is on the About This Website <\/a>page.***<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This guide clarifies misunderstanding about prop 65. It is not a label to just disregard because it seems like it is everywhere. The warning is there to alert consumers if a product contains toxins that have been proven to be able to cause cancer, reproductive harm, birth defects, etc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4293,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":""},"categories":[202],"tags":[81,80,82],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/b3904a34-a388-42e7-9510-e88423450d5c.png","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":925,"url":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/23\/chocolate-cacao-better-and-worst-brands-for-heavy-metals\/","url_meta":{"origin":1106,"position":0},"title":"Lead in \ud83c\udf6b Chocolate and Cacao: Better and Worst Brands","date":"July 23, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Updated January 2026 This post may contain Amazon Associates affiliate links, that I may earn small amounts from. See the bottom of this page for more details. Introduction and Importance: ALL chocolate, cacao and cocoa contains heavy metals, and contains the highest levels of lead compared to other foods. The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"cacao\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/17245EE3-EED3-44E2-82AA-6D7119CF3CEB.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":441,"url":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/2020\/11\/04\/avoiding-lead-in-supplements-vitamins\/","url_meta":{"origin":1106,"position":1},"title":"Avoiding Lead in \ud83d\udc8a Supplements\/ Vitamins","date":"November 4, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Updated January 2025: I recommend checking Lead Safe Mama\u2019s website as she has started to independently test supplements for heavy metals. Introduction: Vitamins and supplements ALL have some level of heavy metals in them (even if the raw content does not, metals can contaminate the product from the machinery processing).\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"heavy metals\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/53c3e656-e03c-4324-b281-620d64c26cc3-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":92,"url":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/2020\/09\/04\/recommendations-for-prenatal-vitamins-with-low-heavy-metals\/","url_meta":{"origin":1106,"position":2},"title":"Prenatal, Kids Vitamins, and Omegas \ud83d\udc8a with Low Heavy Metals","date":"September 4, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Updated September 2025 I often see women in online groups asking for prenatal vitamin recommendations. The responses almost never mention heavy metals, so I feel this is an issue I\u2019d like to bring more attention to. This post may contain carefully selected affiliate links including Amazon Associates, that I may\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 17 comments","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/img_8538.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":214,"url":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/2020\/09\/15\/salt-with-lower-lead-and-heavy-metals\/","url_meta":{"origin":1106,"position":3},"title":"Salt \ud83e\uddc2, Cinnamon, Turmeric, and Spices with Lower Lead and Heavy Metals","date":"September 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Updated January 2025 Introduction: This is a unique compilation that I started collecting years ago and have kept updated as new testing has been released. This post may contain Amazon Associates affiliate links, that I may earn small amounts from. See the bottom of this page for more details. Salt\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"salt\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/61e62cb9-5a6f-443e-8c2f-2e36f5aca099-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1474,"url":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/2022\/03\/07\/phthalates-microplastics\/","url_meta":{"origin":1106,"position":4},"title":"Phthalates & Microplastics: How They Get Into Your Body and Why They are Dangerous \ud83e\uddf4\ud83e\udd5b","date":"March 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Two hidden Toxicants that can end up in your food and body are Phthalates and Microplastics. These are not things that will show up on ingredients lists, so it\u2019s important to be aware of where they come from and how to avoid them. Phthalates Phthalates are used to make plastics\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"microplastics\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/img_8526.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":542,"url":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/2020\/11\/20\/list-of-things-with-lead\/","url_meta":{"origin":1106,"position":5},"title":"Things and Foods Likely to Contain Lead","date":"November 20, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Updated July 2024 Before (or after) reading this list, don\u2019t think \u201ceverything has lead.\u201d Because that is not true! But here are lists I\u2019ve compiled of things and foods that can be likely to have high lead levels. This post may contain Amazon Associates affiliate links, that I may earn\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"lead\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/img_8527.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1106"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1106"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4295,"href":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1106\/revisions\/4295"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4293"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleangreentoxicantfree.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}